Libor Kozák (confirmed post #190)

[Toronto Villa]

I happen to think Benteke is a lot more than just a traditional number 9. My guess is that if they ever played today Benteke has the ability and intelligence to play just behind Kozak. I wouldn't expect Kozak for example to chip a pass like Benteke did for Delph against Rotherham, or run through, batter defenders as he did against Malaga. I would expect him to be a nightmare in the box and not afraid to mix it up with anyone. That's just my take on it because sometimes they will need to play together, and other times he will rest Benteke and play Kozak up on his own.

[Concrete John]

To be fair he may mean another number 9 is what we've needed. 

I think it'll be interesting to see how our side develops this season.  Lambert settled on the 4-3-3 system last season after much experimentation.  Given the extra players we now have, it's quite possible that process will be repeated until he settles on a new formation, which may well not be 4-3-3. 

[paul_e]

Odd that he says we've 'needed a number 9' - we've got one of the best number nines in the world at the moment (that's no exaggeration), and we have no player to link from midfield and create things other than N'Zogbia - bombed out and injured anyway.

I've said before I'm convinced he thinks there is more to Benteke's game than being an out and out 9, for one Benteke is a much better passer than he gets credit for, I really think we'll see Benteke play in the 10 position a few times this year.

[eastie]

Like he says we have more options and Kozak is a far better option than bowery, i think he will play with benteke at times and with helenius also in the wings it keeps the pressure on those on the team to deliver or lose their place - exciting season ahead.

[adrenachrome]

Odd that he says we've 'needed a number 9' - we've got one of the best number nines in the world at the moment (that's no exaggeration), and we have no player to link from midfield and create things other than N'Zogbia - bombed out and injured anyway.

I've said before I'm convinced he thinks there is more to Benteke's game than being an out and out 9, for one Benteke is a much better passer than he gets credit for, I really think we'll see Benteke play in the 10 position a few times this year.

Benteke has an eye for a defence splitting pass, to be sure, and sometimes he pulls it off to spectacular effect; but quite often the ball goes alarmingly astray setting up the opposition with a promising attacking position. I firmly believe that if this were not the case, Wenger would have bid heavily for him. 

[paul_e]

His decision making needs to improve I agree, but if it does he can become a very effective striker playing 9 or 10, which will only increase his value further.

[supertom]

Benteke could play as a number 9, 10, 11. He'd probably make a good job as a number 1 and still score 15 goals a season. Ha ha.

But yeah, I'd guess that Libor is more of a pure 9. Benteke can slip anywhere in our attacking positions and still be effective. Helenius seems to be more of a number 10 type. I also think Lambert rates Wiemann as a potential number 10 as well (he said so a while back in an interview IIRC). So looking logically, having loaned out Bent who is about as number 9 as they come, I think there's logic to that signing.

[Dante Lavelli]

I'd be pretty annoyed if he starts tinkering before we've got some points.  I'd prefer it he started changing formations etc when players are tired or if we lose form, not now when we're arguably going well.

[dekko]

A few months ago an article (that I can't find/be bothered to find) came out about Benteke and the Belgium national team.  They play with one up top (either 'Teke or Lukaku), but for 30 minutes or so at the end of one of the early summer internationals they played both of them at the same time (apparently having never really tried it or trained for it).  Benteke naturally dropped back a bit deeper, supporting Lukaku and leaving him to lead the line.  I'm pretty sure there are quotes from him saying he was happy to drop back and play as a supporting striker/playmaker when needed.

I think a comparison with Drogba is relevant - he scores loadsa goals, but can be just as effective creating for others.  In a few years time when he hits his peak, Benteke is going to be a very well rounded player.  He is already tbh, but there really is no limit to how good this lad could turn out to be!

EDIT: Sorry, thought I was in the Benteke thread.  To bring it a bit back on topic, it wouldn't suprise me if we ended up seeing something like a 4-4-1-1, with Kojak leading the line, and Benteke playing in the hole.  You could also probably put Benteke up top and play Helenius, Tonev or even eventually Weimann in the No10 role.  Either way, buying another great big classic number 9 has given us a bit more flexibility, and may even have solved the No10 problem.

[paul_e]

A few months ago an article (that I can't find/be bothered to find) came out about Benteke and the Belgium national team.  They play with one up top (either 'Teke or Lukaku), but for 30 minutes or so at the end of one of the early summer internationals they played both of them at the same time (apparently having never really tried it or trained for it).  Benteke naturally dropped back a bit deeper, supporting Lukaku and leaving him to lead the line.  I'm pretty sure there are quotes from him saying he was happy to drop back and play as a supporting striker/playmaker when needed.

I think a comparison with Drogba is relevant - he scores loadsa goals, but can be just as effective creating for others.  In a few years time when he hits his peak, Benteke is going to be a very well rounded player.  He is already tbh, but there really is no limit to how good this lad could turn out to be!

EDIT: Sorry, thought I was in the Benteke thread.  To bring it a bit back on topic, it wouldn't suprise me if we ended up seeing something like a 4-4-1-1, with Kojak leading the line, and Benteke playing in the hole.  You could also probably put Benteke up top and play Helenius, Tonev or even eventually Weimann in the No10 role.  Either way, buying another great big classic number 9 has given us a bit more flexibility, and may even have solved the No10 problem.

the very last bit is important, Kozak is a genuine 9, of that there is no doubt, Benteke is clearly an excellent 9 as well, but none of the others really are, so previously Benteke had to play the 9 role because we had no choice, now we can tinker with moving him around.

[Monty]

Sorry, no way is Benteke a number 10. Just because he can pass it doesn't make him a playmaker - it makes him a competent top-flight footballer. He's a brilliant furthest-man-forward striker, excellent finishing, formidable hold up play and yes, passing and interchanging. No way is he a number 10 though, it's just not happening.

[bobdylan]

Sorry, no way is Benteke a number 10. Just because he can pass it doesn't make him a playmaker - it makes him a competent top-flight footballer. He's a brilliant furthest-man-forward striker, excellent finishing, formidable hold up play and yes, passing and interchanging. No way is he a number 10 though, it's just not happening.

Agreed, given the lack of a no. 10 signing the only other formation option I think we may see is Kozak and Bentek as a two up front with one of Gabby or Weimann is behind.

[paul_e]

I think your definition of a 10 is pretty rigid though Monty, personally I think Benteke could be highly effective given a bit more freedom to find space without it leaving us with no one in the box.  His natural game is to drift out left and try to find gaps between the centre back and full back but at times that has left us with no one to 'hit' in the centre because Weimann is deeper joining up play and Gabby is always looking for gaps to sprint into.  I can therefore see the value, in games where we can't break through playing Benteke off Kozak might give him a bit more time to find the little gaps in and around the box which is comfortably his best attribute.  I can see him developing similarly to Bergkamp in his position, maybe a 9 and a half?

[Caiphus]

Benteke and Helenius are both very mobile big men, and PL had a complement for Kozak's mobility when he signed as well... It will be interesting to see if he opts for using all 3 on occassions with Benteke moving to Gabby's position on the left and Helenius coming in for Weimann on the right.

It would be a first for me, seeing a three man forward line that moves well that is all over 6'3".  Would work well in FIFA .

[Mister E]

I reckon part of Lambert's thinking is that Premiership defences will have started to learn how to play Benteke. Bringing in Kozak adds a new ' unknown' factor into the attack as well as potentially giving Benteke more space.